A full composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system with directional energy release function
By combining temperature triggering and pure visual detection with dynamic adjustment of the vector nozzle, the problem of high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders being unable to perceive the release path in real time under extreme conditions is solved, realizing intelligent unobstructed directional release and improving the reliability and safety of the system.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BEIJING TIANHAI HYDROGEN ENERGY EQUIP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing safety relief devices for high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders cannot detect the status of the relief path in real time under extreme operating conditions, posing a safety hazard due to dynamic obstructions or ignition sources. Furthermore, existing improvement solutions are complex in structure and lack reliability.
It adopts a combined design of temperature triggering, pure vision detection and dynamic adjustment of vector nozzle. Through temperature detection module, pure vision detection module and vector nozzle module, it realizes intelligent adjustment of the discharge direction, identifies obstructions and fire sources, and dynamically adjusts the discharge path.
It achieves intelligent and unobstructed directional venting, improving the active safety protection performance of high-pressure gas cylinders in complex environments, and simplifies the structure, optimizes costs, and enhances reliability.
Smart Images

Figure CN122129641A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of vehicle-mounted hydrogen technology and relates to a fully composite high-pressure gas storage cylinder safety system with directional energy release function. Background Technology
[0002] As a core energy storage component of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the safety of high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders directly affects the safety of the entire vehicle and its occupants. Currently, Type III (metal-lined, fully fiber-wound) and Type IV (plastic-lined, fully fiber-wound) composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders are widely used in new energy vehicles, with operating pressures typically reaching 35MPa or even 70MPa. To prevent cylinders from exploding due to overheating and a surge in internal pressure under extreme conditions such as fires, a thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) is usually integrated into the cylinder valve assembly. This device incorporates a temperature-sensing element made of fusible alloy or glass bulb. When the ambient temperature reaches a preset threshold (typically 110℃±5℃), the temperature-sensing element melts, opening the relief channel. The high-pressure hydrogen gas inside the cylinder is then directionally discharged along a fixed pipeline in a predetermined direction to control the energy release direction and prevent high-pressure impacts or explosions.
[0003] However, in practical vehicle applications, especially when the hydrogen storage system is located in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces such as the vehicle trunk or chassis, the fixed-direction venting structure of existing TPRDs presents significant safety hazards. On one hand, the venting path may be obstructed by vehicle structure, temporarily stored items, or deformation after an accident, causing high-pressure airflow to impact the obstruction and trigger secondary damage, or resulting in a sudden increase in local pressure due to poor venting, expanding the risk area. On the other hand, if the venting direction happens to point towards the ignition point or other dangerous areas, it may exacerbate the fire, negating the safety benefits of directional venting. Existing technologies lack the ability to perceive and dynamically adjust the venting path status in real time, failing to effectively avoid the aforementioned temporary and sudden safety risks.
[0004] To address this issue, existing technologies have attempted to adjust the discharge direction by introducing sensor-controlled vector nozzles. However, such solutions typically suffer from the following drawbacks: First, they rely excessively on the coordinated operation of multiple sensors (such as temperature, smoke, flame, and position sensors), resulting in a complex system structure, high costs, and difficult maintenance. Second, they lack a real-time detection mechanism for dynamic obstructions in the discharge path, and their adjustment logic is mostly based on preset programs, failing to adaptively avoid obstacles according to actual site conditions. Third, the triggering mechanism is singular and highly dependent on temperature sensors; if the sensor itself malfunctions, the entire system will fail, raising concerns about its reliability.
[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system that is structurally simple, reliably triggered, and capable of real-time shielding avoidance, in order to improve the active safety protection performance of vehicles under extreme conditions. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to at least partially solve some of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and to provide a fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system with directional energy release function. Through the integrated design of "temperature triggering + pure visual detection + vector nozzle dynamic adjustment", it aims to solve the technical problems of existing safety release devices being unable to avoid dynamic obstructions or ignition sources due to fixed release direction, as well as the complex structure and insufficient reliability of existing improved solutions. It realizes intelligent and unobstructed directional release of the release path, and significantly improves the active safety protection performance of high-pressure gas cylinders in complex environments.
[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system with directional energy release function, comprising: At least one high-pressure gas cylinder body, with valve groups at both ends; The safety release device is integrated into the bottle neck valve assembly and has a preset initial release direction; A temperature detection module is installed on the bottle valve assembly to detect the valve assembly temperature in real time; The pure vision detection module is used to acquire image information of the venting area in real time and identify obstructions, fire sources and the current attitude of the venting nozzle in the area. The vector nozzle module is connected to the outlet of the safety relief device, and its relief direction can be dynamically adjusted. The control unit is electrically connected to the temperature detection module, the pure vision detection module, and the vector nozzle module, respectively. The control unit is configured as follows: When the temperature detected by the temperature detection module reaches the first preset threshold, the pure vision detection module is activated. Based on the information identified by the pure vision detection module, it is determined whether there is an obstruction or a direction pointing towards a fire source in the initial discharge direction; If so, the vector nozzle module is controlled to adjust the discharge direction until a safe, unobstructed discharge direction is found.
[0008] In some embodiments, the purely visual detection module includes: At least one image acquisition unit is used to simultaneously acquire visible light images and infrared thermal imaging images; An embedded vision processing unit, connected to the image acquisition unit, is used to perform image fusion analysis, identify obstructions and fire source areas, and calculate the current deflection angle of the vector nozzle module.
[0009] In some embodiments, the image acquisition unit is mounted on the bracket of the vector nozzle module or at a preset position on the vehicle body, and its field of view covers the discharge path and surrounding area of the vector nozzle module.
[0010] In some embodiments, the vector nozzle module includes: Nozzle body; An electric actuator is used to drive the nozzle body to change the deflection angle within a preset adjustable range. An angle sensor is used to provide real-time feedback on the current angle of the nozzle body; An electromagnetic locking mechanism is used to lock the nozzle body after it has been adjusted to the target angle.
[0011] In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to: When it is determined that the initial discharge direction is obstructed or points towards a fire source, the vector nozzle module is controlled to search for unobstructed directions in a preset adjustable range and according to a preset step sequence. If no unobstructed direction is found after traversing all adjustable ranges, the vector nozzle module is controlled to return to the initial discharge direction and an alarm signal is issued.
[0012] In some embodiments, the preset adjustable range has a symmetrical or asymmetrical angle range relative to the initial discharge direction; the preset step sequence is a cyclic search logic based on angle increment or decrement.
[0013] In some embodiments, the fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system further includes a redundant triggering module, which is a flame sensor or a pyroelectric sensor, installed next to the safety release device. The control unit is further configured to automatically switch to the redundant triggering module when the temperature detection module fails, and to activate the pure vision detection module when it detects a flame or high temperature signal.
[0014] In some embodiments, the pure visual detection module is also used to continuously re-inspect the status of the discharge path at a preset interval that is lower than the temperature detection cycle during the discharge process; If a new obstruction or approaching fire source is detected in the path, the control unit restarts the discharge direction adjustment process.
[0015] In some embodiments, a deflection prohibition region map is pre-stored in the control unit; When the pure vision detection module detects a fire source or a specific obstacle falling into the prohibited deflection zone, the control unit controls the adjustment range of the vector nozzle module to avoid the zone.
[0016] In some embodiments, the high-pressure gas storage cylinder body is a Type III or Type IV fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder with a working pressure of not less than 35MPa; the sampling period of the temperature detection module is not higher than 10ms, and the first preset threshold is 110℃±5℃, which matches the operating temperature of the safety relief device.
[0017] Beneficial effects of this invention: This invention provides a fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system with directional energy release function. Its structure is reasonable, and this invention has the following significant technical advantages: a. Reliable triggering and precise response: Utilizing temperature detection closely attached to the bottle valve as the core trigger source, its threshold is strictly matched to the operating temperature of the safety relief device, ensuring accurate activation under real-world over-temperature conditions. Combined with optional redundant trigger modules, this effectively avoids system failure caused by a single sensor malfunction, greatly improving system reliability.
[0018] b. Obstruction Avoidance, Intelligent and Efficient: Employing a pure vision detection solution, the system uses visible light and infrared image fusion to accurately identify solid obstructions and ignition sources along the discharge path and calculates the nozzle attitude in real time. Based on this, the control unit drives the vector nozzle to dynamically search for unobstructed safe directions within a preset range, achieving closed-loop intelligent control of "perception-decision-execution," fundamentally solving the safety blind spot problem of fixed-direction discharge.
[0019] c. Simplified structure and optimized cost: The system abandons the complex architecture of traditional solutions that rely on multiple sensors, instead using a powerful pure vision module as the core sensing unit, significantly reducing system hardware complexity, overall weight, and maintenance costs. The modules are highly integrated, without altering the original installation interface of the gas cylinder, and exhibit excellent platform compatibility.
[0020] d. Safety Redundancy and Multiple Protections: The system is equipped with multiple safety mechanisms, including initial direction guarantee discharge, demarcation of prohibited deflection zones, adjustable range restrictions, abnormal operating condition alarms, and continuous path re-checking and dynamic readjustment during the discharge process. These measures ensure that the system can minimize secondary risks and protect the safety of personnel and vehicles to the greatest extent possible under any extreme or unexpected circumstances. Attached Figure Description
[0021] The advantages of the present invention will become clearer and more readily understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative and do not limit the invention, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system with directional energy release function provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vector nozzle module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the working principle of a pure vision detection module in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the discharge direction adjustment logic of the control unit in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0022] Figures 1 to 4 This is a schematic diagram of a fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system with directional energy release function as described in this application. The invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.
[0023] The embodiments described herein are specific implementations of the present invention, used to illustrate the concept of the invention, and are illustrative and exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the implementation or scope of the invention. In addition to the embodiments described herein, those skilled in the art can employ other obvious technical solutions based on the content disclosed in the claims and specification of this application. These technical solutions include those that make any obvious substitutions and modifications to the embodiments described herein.
[0024] The accompanying drawings in this specification are schematic diagrams used to illustrate the concept of the invention, and schematically show the shapes of the various parts and their interrelationships. Please note that, in order to clearly show the structure of the components in the embodiments of the invention, the drawings are not drawn to the same scale. The same reference numerals are used to indicate the same parts.
[0025] Example 1: As Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a fully composite high-pressure gas storage cylinder safety system with directional energy release function, employing a two-cylinder 70MPa-150L hydrogen storage system, installed above the rear chassis of the vehicle. The system includes: The system comprises multiple high-pressure gas cylinder bodies, specifically six 70MPa-150L Type IV fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders (plastic inner liner with carbon fiber full wrapping), each with a valve assembly at both ends. The valve assembly integrates a safety relief device (TPRD), which uses a fusible alloy temperature-sensing element with a rated operating temperature of 110℃±5℃. When the ambient temperature reaches this threshold, the fusible alloy melts, and the sealing element automatically slides under spring action, opening the relief channel. In this embodiment, after the discharge pipes of each TPRD converge, the preset initial relief direction is horizontal to both sides of the vehicle (i.e., avoiding the lateral safety area of the cab and rear cargo box), and the vector nozzle module maintains this fixed direction in the initial state.
[0026] The temperature detection module is installed on the outer surface of each bottle valve assembly, adjacent to the TPRD module and tightly fitted to the valve body's metal casing. The temperature detection module includes a PT100 platinum resistance temperature sensor and a temperature signal processing circuit, with a sampling period set to 10ms to meet the requirement for rapid response to transient temperature changes. The temperature signal processing circuit outputs the temperature detection signal to the control unit in real time.
[0027] The redundant triggering module, employing an infrared pyroelectric flame triggering sensor, is installed beside each TPRD module and electrically connected to the control unit. When the temperature detection module fails, the control unit automatically switches to the redundant triggering module, which serves as a backup trigger source to activate the pure vision detection module. In this embodiment, when a flame temperature ≥110℃ is detected, the redundant triggering module sends a start signal to the control unit.
[0028] Pure vision inspection module, such as Figure 3 As shown, it includes two image acquisition units (dual cameras) and an embedded vision processing unit. The image acquisition units use visible light and infrared dual-mode cameras, mounted on the bracket of the vector nozzle module (or installed in preset positions such as the rear or side of the vehicle depending on the model), ensuring that their field of view completely covers the venting path of the vector nozzle module and the surrounding area (covering an area of approximately 120° fan-shaped region with a radius of up to 10 meters). The embedded vision processing unit is integrated with the control unit, receives image data from the dual cameras, and runs algorithms for fire area detection, obstruction identification, and nozzle angle calculation.
[0029] Specifically, this module can: locate the fire area (temperature anomaly area) using infrared mode and set it to prevent nozzle adjustment direction; detect whether there are solid obstructions with a size ≥3cm in the discharge path of the nozzle in the initial direction through visible light and infrared image fusion analysis; and calculate the current deflection angle of the nozzle in real time through image feature matching (accuracy up to ±1°).
[0030] The fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system also includes a vector nozzle module, such as... Figure 2 As shown, it is connected to the end of the outlet pipe of the safety relief device. The vector nozzle module includes: The nozzle body is made of high-temperature resistant stainless steel, and the outlet end has a gradually expanding structure to optimize the gas emission direction. The electric actuator uses a micro stepper motor to drive the nozzle body to precisely change the deflection angle within a preset adjustable range (in this embodiment, the adjustable range is ±30° of the initial direction, and the stepping accuracy is 1°). An angle sensor, using a Hall angle sensor, is used to provide real-time feedback on the current angle of the nozzle body, forming a closed-loop control. The electromagnetic locking mechanism is used to reliably lock the nozzle body after it has been adjusted to the target angle, preventing angle drift caused by vibration or other reasons.
[0031] In this invention, the fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system also includes a control unit, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it is integrated into the side of the nozzle valve assembly, using an automotive-grade MCU, and is electrically connected to the temperature detection module, redundant trigger module, pure vision detection module, vector nozzle module, and vehicle alarm module. The control unit pre-stores the initial fixed direction of the nozzle (horizontal on both sides of the vehicle), the adjustable range (±30°), the first preset threshold (110℃), and a map of the prohibited deflection area. The control unit executes trigger source switching, vision detection control, nozzle angle adjustment, and alarm triggering logic.
[0032] The control unit of this invention serves as the decision-making core of this system, and its specific configuration is as follows, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 The control logic flowchart shown below: S1, Standby Monitoring Phase The vector nozzle module maintains its initial fixed orientation (horizontal on both sides of the vehicle).
[0033] The temperature detection module collects bottle valve temperature data in real time with a 10ms sampling period and continuously transmits it to the control unit.
[0034] The pure vision detection module and the redundant triggering module maintain a low-power standby state (power consumption <0.1W).
[0035] The control unit continuously monitors the status of the temperature detection module. If the temperature data is normal (below 100℃), it remains in standby mode; if a fault signal such as open circuit / short circuit of the temperature sensor is detected, the temperature detection module is marked as faulty, and preparations are made to switch to redundant trigger mode.
[0036] S2, triggering the startup phase Main trigger mode: When the temperature detection module detects a temperature ≥110℃ (reaching the first preset threshold), it sends a start signal to the control unit. The control unit immediately drives the pure vision detection module to wake up from standby mode, and the dual cameras start working synchronously.
[0037] Redundant trigger mode: If the control unit determines that the temperature detection module has failed (e.g., sensor failure), it will automatically switch to the redundant trigger module. When the redundant trigger module detects a flame temperature ≥110℃, it will also send a start signal to the control unit to drive the pure vision detection module to start.
[0038] In this embodiment, temperature detection and redundant triggering adopt "OR" logic. If any trigger source is valid, the subsequent visual detection process can be started, ensuring that the system can still be reliably triggered in extreme cases such as sensor failure.
[0039] S3, Visual Inspection Stage After the pure vision detection module starts up, the embedded vision processing unit executes the following algorithm: Fire zone detection: Infrared thermal imaging analysis is used to locate areas with abnormal temperatures (ignition points). In this embodiment, the infrared mode detects a fire source in the area below the vehicle, which is defined as a "no-deflection zone." The vector nozzle must avoid this area during subsequent adjustments.
[0040] Obstruction detection: By fusing visible light and infrared images, the system detects whether there are solid obstructions with a size ≥3cm in the straight area from the nozzle exit to the scene safety passage (i.e., the discharge path). In this embodiment, a small, temporarily piled-up obstacle with a size of approximately 30cm × 20cm was detected in the initial direction (horizontally to the right of the vehicle).
[0041] Nozzle attitude calculation: The current deflection angle of the nozzle is calculated by identifying fluorescent markers or feature contours on the nozzle. In this embodiment, the initial nozzle angle is 0° (horizontal direction).
[0042] The visual inspection results (coordinates of the fire area, presence or absence of obstructions, and current nozzle angle) are transmitted to the control unit in real time via the communication bus.
[0043] S4. Nozzle Adjustment Stage After receiving the visual detection results, the control unit executes the following decision logic: Determine the initial direction: If the initial direction path is unobstructed and does not point to the prohibited deflection area, then control the nozzle to maintain the initial direction and directly enter the release phase.
[0044] Searching for unobstructed directions: If the initial direction is obstructed or points to a prohibited area (in this embodiment, the initial direction is obstructed), the control unit starts the search program and drives the electric actuator to search for unobstructed directions in the adjustable range (±30°) in a preset step sequence.
[0045] In this embodiment, the adjustable range is ±30° of the initial direction, and the stepping sequence adopts the logic of "center-outward spiral search": initial direction (0°) → +5° → -5° → +10° → -10° → +15° → -15° ... until ±30°. Specifically, the control unit drives the nozzle to adjust sequentially in the order of "20° → 25° → 30° → 15° → 10°" (this is an optimized sequence adjusted according to the specific vehicle model).
[0046] Each time the angle is adjusted to a new position, the pure vision detection module immediately re-examines the discharge path in that direction (single detection time ≤ 50ms) to determine if there is any obstruction or if it points to a prohibited area. When adjusted to a 30° backward direction, the vision detection determines that the path in that direction is unobstructed and far from the prohibited area, and the control unit immediately records this angle as the target direction.
[0047] The control unit precisely adjusts the nozzle to 30° via an electric actuator and locks it with an electromagnetic locking mechanism, while the angle sensor confirms that it is in place.
[0048] In this invention, if no unobstructed direction is found after traversing the entire adjustable range (±30°), the control unit executes a safety net strategy: driving the nozzle back to its initial fixed direction and simultaneously sending an audible and visual alarm signal to the vehicle alarm module, indicating "Abnormal discharge path, please evacuate immediately." In this embodiment, a safe 30° direction was successfully found, and the safety net alarm was not triggered.
[0049] S5, stable discharge phase After the nozzle is locked at a 30° angle, the TPRD venting channel is fully opened, and the 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen gas inside the cylinder begins to be released directionally in that direction. According to fire test data, after the TPRD is activated, the internal pressure of the 70MPa cylinder can rapidly drop from 70MPa to below 1MPa in a short time, with a maximum pressure drop rate of 9.96MPa / s. In this embodiment, the total hydrogen storage capacity of the 6-cylinder group is approximately 36kg (70MPa, 150L / cylinder × 6), and the estimated venting time is approximately 120-180 seconds.
[0050] During the venting process, the pure visual detection module works continuously, re-checking the venting path every 100ms (lower than the 10ms temperature detection cycle, using a time-division multiplexing strategy), while monitoring the flame position and temperature changes.
[0051] If a new obstruction is detected in the path, the flame position approaches the nozzle exit direction, or the temperature rises to ≥150℃ (the second preset threshold, representing an intensified fire), the control unit determines that the current direction is no longer safe and immediately drives the nozzle to restart the search process, repeating the above "visual detection → nozzle adjustment" cycle until a new unobstructed safe direction is found or the venting ends.
[0052] In this embodiment, the entire venting process takes about 150 seconds. The pure visual detection module performs about 1,500 path re-checks (once every 100ms). No new obstructions or approaching flames are detected. The system maintains a stable venting direction of 30° until the end. The pressure inside the cylinder drops to a safe level (<1MPa). The cylinder structure remains intact with no signs of rupture.
[0053] Example 2: This example is applicable to passenger cars or small logistics vehicles, using a single 70MPa-60L Type III fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder. The system structure is basically the same as in Example 1, with the following differences: the temperature detection module only needs to monitor a single cylinder valve; the control unit can be simplified in design and has a higher degree of integration; the image acquisition unit of the pure vision detection module can be installed on the roof or rearview mirror bracket, covering the rear and side areas of the vehicle; the adjustable range of the vector nozzle module can be optimized to symmetrical ±45° according to the actual installation space.
[0054] Example 3: As Figure 4 This is a variation of the search logic, where the preset adjustable range can be set to an asymmetrical range relative to the initial release direction. For example, if there is a fixed structure (such as a spare tire rack or air tank) on one side of the vehicle, the adjustable range can be set to -20° to +40° (the initial direction is 0°, a negative angle represents facing inwards towards the vehicle, and a positive angle represents facing outwards). The preset step sequence can adopt a cyclic search logic of "negative direction priority" or "positive direction priority", for example: 0°→+5°→-5°→+10°→-10°…… or 0°→-5°→+5°→-10°→+10°…… to prioritize avoiding the side with the fixed obstacle.
[0055] Example 4: The control unit can pre-store multiple prohibited deflection zone maps. For example, in addition to the real-time detected fire source area, "prohibited deflection zone A" (corresponding to the high-temperature area of the engine compartment) and "prohibited deflection zone B" (corresponding to the tire position) can be preset according to the vehicle structure. When the pure vision detection module identifies a fire source or a specific obstacle falling into any prohibited deflection zone, the control unit controls the adjustment range of the vector nozzle module to simultaneously avoid all prohibited zones, ensuring absolute safety in the discharge direction.
[0056] To verify the technical effectiveness of this system, the applicant conducted simulation tests and partial physical verification based on the above embodiments. Key data are as follows: (1) Trigger reliability verification The temperature detection module has a sampling period of 10ms, enabling it to capture transient temperature changes. According to fire test data, in a fire environment, it takes approximately 20 minutes for the internal pressure of a 70MPa gas cylinder to rise from 70MPa to 110MPa, with a temperature rise rate of approximately 5-8℃ / min. The system's 10ms sampling period fully meets real-time monitoring requirements, ensuring timely triggering when the 110℃ threshold is reached (with an error of ±2℃).
[0057] Redundancy trigger module verification: Simulating the failure condition of the temperature sensor, when the flame sensor detects 110℃, the system trigger time delay is <100ms, and the vision inspection module starts normally, verifying the effectiveness of the redundancy design.
[0058] (2) Verification of occlusion detection accuracy The pure vision detection module has the following accuracy for recognizing solid obstructions with a size ≥3cm: ≥98% under good lighting conditions and ≥92% at night or in smoky environments (dependent on infrared mode).
[0059] Nozzle angle calculation accuracy: average error ≤ 1.2°, meeting the requirements for precise nozzle positioning.
[0060] Single visual inspection time: average 45ms, with a re-inspection interval requirement of less than 100ms.
[0061] (3) Dynamic adjustment efficiency verification Within the ±30° adjustable range, with a search increment of 5° (maximum 12 adjustments), the theoretical maximum time to complete the entire search is: 12 times × (45ms for detection + 200ms for adjustment) ≈ 3 seconds. In this embodiment, finding the 30° safe direction requires 5 adjustments, taking approximately 1.5 seconds, which is much faster than the entire TPRD discharge process (over 120 seconds), ensuring that the safe direction can be locked before the start of the main discharge phase.
[0062] Verification of the minimum guarantee logic: In a scenario simulating an unobstructed direction across the entire range, the system completes the traversal within 3.2 seconds and returns to the initial direction to issue an alarm, which meets expectations.
[0063] (4) Safety verification of the release process According to literature data, when a 70MPa gas cylinder is started normally by TPRD, the venting time can be controlled within 596-666 seconds (35MPa-210L) or less (70MPa-150L approximately 120-180 seconds). This system rechecks every 100ms during the venting process. If a new obstruction is detected (such as vehicle movement or fallen objects), the system can readjust its direction within 1 second to ensure an unobstructed venting path throughout the entire process.
[0064] Flame length control: According to research, with a 2mm vent diameter, the flame length of a 70MPa hydrogen jet is approximately 2-6.5m. This system directs the flame to a safe area (such as the side or rear of the vehicle) through directional venting, preventing the flame from impacting surrounding vehicles or buildings and significantly reducing the risk of secondary disasters.
[0065] Based on the above embodiments and verification data, this system has the following beneficial effects: I. Reliable triggering and precise response Using temperature detection close to the bottle valve as the core trigger source, the threshold of 110℃±5℃ is strictly matched with the TPRD operating temperature to ensure accurate start-up under real over-temperature conditions. The 10ms sampling period can quickly capture temperature changes, and with the redundant trigger module, it effectively avoids system failure caused by the failure of a single sensor (verification shows that the redundancy switching delay is <100ms), greatly improving system reliability.
[0066] II. Occlusion Avoidance, Intelligent and Efficient Employing a pure vision-based detection solution, which fuses visible light and infrared images, the system achieves a ≥92% accuracy rate in identifying solid obstructions ≥3cm in diameter, and a nozzle angle calculation accuracy ≤1.2°. The control unit can complete a dynamic search within 1.5 seconds, locking onto an unobstructed safe direction, and realizing closed-loop intelligent control of "perception-decision-execution." This fundamentally solves the safety blind spot problem of fixed-direction venting, preventing high-pressure airflow from impacting obstructions or pointing towards a fire source.
[0067] III. Simplified structure and optimized cost This invention abandons the complex architecture of traditional solutions that rely on the collaboration of multiple sensors (temperature, smoke, flame, and position sensors), and uses a pure vision module as the core sensing unit, significantly reducing system hardware complexity (reducing the number of sensors by approximately 40%), overall weight, and maintenance costs. The modules are highly integrated, do not alter the original installation interface of the gas cylinder, and have excellent platform compatibility.
[0068] IV. Safety redundancy, multiple protections The system is equipped with multiple safety mechanisms: initial direction guarantee release (returning to the initial direction when the search fails); demarcation of prohibited deflection areas (automatically avoiding dangerous areas such as fire sources); adjustable range limit (±30° to prevent excessive deflection from causing structural interference); abnormal working condition alarm (issues an audible and visual alarm when the search fails); continuous path re-checking during the release process (once every 100ms) and dynamic readjustment function (readjusting within 1 second when a new obstruction or fire source is detected).
[0069] These measures ensure that the system can minimize secondary risks and protect the safety of people and vehicles in any extreme or unexpected situation.
[0070] The fully composite high-pressure gas storage cylinder safety system with directional energy release function provided by this invention can be widely used in mobile hydrogen storage fields such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, logistics vehicles), hydrogen-powered rail transit, and hydrogen-powered ships, as well as in fixed hydrogen storage stations. The system features a compact structure, reliable triggering, and intelligent avoidance capabilities, significantly improving the active safety protection performance of high-pressure hydrogen storage systems under extreme conditions such as fires. It has good industrial applicability and market prospects.
[0071] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Anyone can derive other products in various forms under the guidance of this invention. However, regardless of any changes in shape or structure, any technical solution that is the same as or similar to this application falls within the protection scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A fully composite high-pressure gas cylinder safety system with directional energy release function, characterized in that, include: At least one high-pressure gas cylinder body, with valve groups at both ends; The safety release device is integrated into the bottle neck valve assembly and has a preset initial release direction; A temperature detection module is installed on the bottle valve assembly to detect the valve assembly temperature in real time; The pure vision detection module is used to acquire image information of the venting area in real time and identify obstructions, fire sources and the current attitude of the venting nozzle in the area. The vector nozzle module is connected to the outlet of the safety relief device, and its relief direction can be dynamically adjusted. The control unit is electrically connected to the temperature detection module, the pure vision detection module, and the vector nozzle module, respectively. The control unit is configured as follows: When the temperature detected by the temperature detection module reaches the first preset threshold, the pure vision detection module is activated. Based on the information identified by the pure vision detection module, it is determined whether there is an obstruction or a direction pointing towards a fire source in the initial discharge direction; If so, the vector nozzle module is controlled to adjust the discharge direction until a safe, unobstructed discharge direction is found.
2. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pure vision detection module includes: At least one image acquisition unit is used to simultaneously acquire visible light images and infrared thermal imaging images; An embedded vision processing unit, connected to the image acquisition unit, is used to perform image fusion analysis, identify obstructions and fire source areas, and calculate the current deflection angle of the vector nozzle module.
3. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The image acquisition unit is mounted on the bracket of the vector nozzle module or at a preset position on the vehicle body, and its field of view covers the discharge path and surrounding area of the vector nozzle module.
4. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vector nozzle module includes: Nozzle body; An electric actuator is used to drive the nozzle body to change the deflection angle within a preset adjustable range. An angle sensor is used to provide real-time feedback on the current angle of the nozzle body; An electromagnetic locking mechanism is used to lock the nozzle body after it has been adjusted to the target angle.
5. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is further configured as follows: When it is determined that the initial discharge direction is obstructed or points towards a fire source, the vector nozzle module is controlled to search for unobstructed directions in a preset adjustable range and according to a preset step sequence. If no unobstructed direction is found after traversing all adjustable ranges, the vector nozzle module is controlled to return to the initial discharge direction and an alarm signal is issued.
6. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The preset adjustable range has a symmetrical or asymmetrical angle range relative to the initial discharge direction; the preset step sequence is a cyclic search logic based on angle increment or decrement.
7. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a redundant triggering module, which is a flame sensor or a pyroelectric sensor, installed next to the safety relief device; The control unit is further configured to automatically switch to the redundant triggering module when the temperature detection module fails, and to activate the pure vision detection module when it detects a flame or high temperature signal.
8. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pure visual detection module is also used to continuously re-inspect the status of the discharge path at a preset interval that is lower than the temperature detection cycle during the discharge process. If a new obstruction or approaching fire source is detected in the path, the control unit restarts the discharge direction adjustment process.
9. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit contains a pre-stored map of a prohibited deflection area. When the pure vision detection module detects a fire source or a specific obstacle falling into the prohibited deflection zone, the control unit controls the adjustment range of the vector nozzle module to avoid the zone.
10. The fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder safety system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The high-pressure gas storage cylinder body is a type III or type IV fully composite high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder with a working pressure of not less than 35MPa; the sampling period of the temperature detection module is not higher than 10ms, and the first preset threshold is 110℃±5℃, which matches the operating temperature of the safety relief device.